Yard MD: Overcome orchid apprehension with these growing tips

Dec. 12, 2013

Orchids come in many different forms, colors, shapes and sizes. This red dragon is available at Memorial Florists and Greenhouses in Appleton. / ROB ZIMMER/Post-Crescent Media

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VIDEOFor video featuring some amazing and colorful orchids available locally, see this story online at postcrescent.com.

ORCHID HAPPENINGSIf you’re interested in learning more about orchids, consider joining the Northeast Wisconsin Orchid Society. For information and to become a member, visit www.newisos.org. The society holds its annual orchid show each spring. The 2014 spring show, “Orchid Oasis,” will be held at the Holiday Inn in Neenah on March 1-2. Orchid vendors will be on hand with a variety of plants for growers of all skill levels. Speakers will be giving talks throughout the show on a variety of topics, and society members will be on hand for questions and growing tips. For more information, visit www.newisos.org/orchid-show

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This is part two of YardMD Rob Zimmer’s three-part series on winter gardening. Coming next week, winter wonderlands, featuring tips to on how to transform your yard and garden into a colorful winter paradise.

It’s time to put aside your fears and apprehension about growing orchids in your home.

Orchids have never been easier to collect and grow. Despite their elaborate, ornate and delicate appearance, orchids are much easier to grow and care for than most gardeners realize.

Winter is the perfect time to become acquainted with the elegance and magic of orchids. Let their wonderful fragrances, colors, shapes, sizes and forms sweep you away to a warm tropical paradise, right inside your own home.

Locally, we have many wonderful sources for quality orchids for indoor gardening. Check them out and be prepared to begin exploring the world of orchids this winter.

Exploring the world of orchids

Mary Stewart, owner of Goin’ To Pot Orchids and Repotting Services, Neenah, says that beginners have a few things to consider before shopping for orchids.

“Many people want to grow orchids but don’t try due to the fear of the unknown, and they may think they are too difficult,” Stewart said.

“The fact of the matter is many orchids aren’t difficult at all. It takes a little patience and basic information of their culture. You don’t treat all orchids the same. Some like low light, others bright, diffused light. Some require warm night time temperatures, others intermediate to cool.”

“I start by asking if they’ve grown orchids before, or if this will be their first,” Stewart said.

“Next, I find out where they intend to grow the plant. For example, will there be an east, south, west, or north location. What’s the nighttime temperature during the colder months? Do they keep the thermostat at the same temperature or lower it at night? What temperature, if lower? All plants, including orchids, prefer a 10-15 degree temperature fluctuation. With proper information established, we decide and go from there.”

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“It all depends on where you grow them, nighttime temperatures, light, growing medium and proper watering,” she said. “Some need more consistent moisture at their roots, others like to dry out more. Knowing these basics makes or breaks successful growing.”

Ellyn Wickman, with Memorial Florists and Greenhouses in Appleton, said that the biggest mistake beginners make with orchid care is overwatering.

“A lot of people think they need a lot of water,” Wickman said. However, moisture levels vary by type of orchid and most do not like to sit in water.

Families of orchids

Orchids are perhaps the most widely distributed plant families found on earth. Orchids in the wild are found at both the North Pole and South Pole, as well as everywhere in between.

Depending on who you ask, there are between 20,000 and 35,000 species of orchids in the wild. From these, untold thousands of hybrids have been bred for the home gardening market.

Stewart said there are many great beginner orchids to choose from. Phalaenopsis is the queen of orchids for longevity of blooming. Lady slippers, or paphiopedilum, along with phragmipedium, cattleya, oncidium and dendrobiums are others.

Required repotting

One of the keys to successful orchid growing is to respect the differences in culture between orchids and most other houseplants. Special attention must be paid to the roots, the pot and to the growing medium.

Repotting of orchids is an essential and vital point. One of the most common mistakes made when repotting orchids is placing the plant in a pot that is too large.

Knowing when to repot, how to repot, as well as how to treat the medium in which the plant is grown, are all vital to the survival of the plant and its ability to rebloom.

“Repotting is crucial in growing orchids successfully,” Stewart said. “Most orchids are epiphytes, meaning in nature they get their moisture and nutrients from the air and rain, often growing on another plant. But, they aren’t parasitic.

“Since most orchids grow in pots in an assortment of growing mediums, the medium breaks down over time, acting like soil. Keeping the medium fresh, so to speak, is vital to the orchid’s ability to grow and bloom.

“The first thing I try to find out when I hear ‘my orchid won’t bloom’ is when it was repotted last,” Stewart said.

“Mimicking how they grow in pots, as far as medium and pot size, is crucial. After sending numerous orchids to orchid heaven years ago, I painfully learned that bumping into larger pots isn’t always the answer.”